My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Golden Body Technique, Third Layer

The moment Zhao Zuo swallowed, he knew something was wrong. An overwhelming heat flowed from his throat, down his esophagus, and finally settled in his stomach, searing hot as if he had ingested molten lava. Almost instantly, beads of sweat streamed down his forehead and dripped to the floor.

Pain followed. It was as if he were inside a volcano crater; scorching waves of heat surged violently from his abdomen into his flesh, threatening to roast him to a cinder. Zhao Zuo swayed, feeling himself withering away, on the verge of death.

He felt as if he were in a scorching desert, under a blistering sun.

As if by instinct, or perhaps a subconscious reaction, Zhao Zuo assumed the first stance of the Golden Body Technique. The heat rampaging through his body suddenly found a path, beginning to flow in a specific pattern. The deadly scorching sensation subsided slightly, replaced by a pleasant warmth.

Sweat dripped continuously from his body, forming small puddles on the ground. Zhao Zuo clung to the Golden Body Technique as if it were a lifeline, throwing himself completely into his Cultivation. He didn’t even spare a trace of his Spiritual Sense to monitor his surroundings.

He was completely immersed in the rapid metamorphosis of his physical body. He practiced the Golden Body Technique, stance by stance, becoming increasingly proficient. The intense heat from his body vaporized the moisture in the surrounding air, which rose above his head as a billowing white mist. It formed a pure white column that pressed against the ceiling before spreading outwards.

The next moment, it was rapidly cooled by the surrounding air, falling back down as a chilly drizzle.

Gradually, a faint golden light began to emanate from Zhao Zuo’s body, exuding a righteous and serene, sacred aura. Though his eyes were tightly shut, he could seemingly perceive the changes around him. The torrent of heat within him then split into countless warm streams that coursed through his body, circulating to every limb and bone.

Every muscle reformed, brimming with new Vitality and explosive power.

Zhao Zuo felt his body grow lighter. At the same time, his internal organs trembled slightly. The golden light enveloping him grew increasingly intense. His hands began to form a series of complex Hand Seals, finally coming together over his heart.

The Hand Seal was called Vajra. It could activate his Qi Blood and accelerate the body’s Quenching, but at the cost of immense Energy consumption. For that reason, Zhao Zuo never used it during his normal Cultivation. Today, however, was different... The wave of heat in his abdomen felt endless, constantly nourishing his Qi Blood... strengthening his very frame.

Suddenly, Zhao Zuo’s eyes snapped open, and he let out a low growl.

"Break!"

Amidst his roar, Zhao Zuo’s body erupted in a blinding radiance unlike anything before, shimmering like gold in the sun. A gilded luster flowed across the surface of his skin. His muscles trembled violently, and the golden light surged to its peak, making him appear both mysterious and divine.

Zhao Zuo had undergone an intense metamorphosis. His body gradually settled, and his breathing became steady and even. His muscles relaxed, and the golden light on his skin slowly receded back into his body. His aura became profoundly calm and steady.

Zhao Zuo stood up and moved slowly. It felt as though his body had undergone countless minute changes. He hadn’t grown taller, but his muscles were leaner and more powerful. He could sense that his strength and endurance had increased significantly.

Zhao Zuo’s Body Refining Cultivation had successfully broken through to the Third Layer of the Golden Body Technique. He now possessed the immense strength of ten thousand catties. He pushed off with his legs, grabbed a crossbeam with both hands, and freed his left hand to push aside some roof tiles. With a swing of his right arm, he hoisted himself onto the roof. Then, with a light push from his toes, he drifted down into the backyard like a leaf.

He took a sharp breath of the cold air, feeling invigorated. He casually activated a Cleaning Talisman, and all the sweat and grime that had accumulated on his body from the breakthrough vanished completely.

Standing in the cold wind, Zhao Zuo clenched his fist, feeling the brimming power within. He was very pleased with the transformation. His gaze grew firmer than ever before. ’This feeling of becoming stronger is truly captivating,’ he thought. ’No wonder Old Sun reminded me to guard my heart.’

No matter what vistas the future held, he must not forget his original purpose.

After standing in the wind for a while, Zhao Zuo’s mind grew calmer. He jumped back into the room through the large hole in the roof. He went outside, dug up a clean block of snow, and threw it into an iron pot to boil. Once the water had cooled, he chugged several large gulps. Then, he took the Dark Night Wolf heart from his Storage Bag.

Shen Yunjiao had once said... it was best to eat this raw. Cooking it would destroy the Energy and nutrients within, making it not worth the effort.

He had been hesitant back then, but after witnessing the tangible effects of the Heart Blood, all his doubts had vanished. Still, he couldn’t just pick it up and gnaw on it.

Zhao Zuo took out a porcelain plate and used a small knife to cut the heart into thin slices. The flesh was firm and springy. When he leaned in to sniff it, he could hardly smell any blood; instead, there was a faint, fresh fragrance.

He used crushed chili, pepper, and cumin as a dipping spice, which gave it a unique flavor. The meat was a bit chewy, but as soon as he swallowed, he felt faint wisps of heat spread through his stomach. His mouth began to water, and he immediately quickened his pace, chewing and swallowing faster.

By the time he was about half-full, his abdomen felt like a furnace, constantly radiating heat.

Zhao Zuo knew the time was right. He immediately assumed a stance from the Golden Body Technique and resumed his Cultivation. He was soon completely absorbed in the process. His muscles grew tighter and more explosive, and his strength slowly increased.

About two two-hour periods later, the heat in his abdomen finally dissipated. Beneath his loose inner shirt was a physique of streamlined muscle. Even though it was a frigid, snowy day and the room was freezing, Zhao Zuo was drenched in sweat, steam rising from his entire body.

"There’s no going back now."

Zhao Zuo felt a surge of emotion as he rested, but it vanished as quickly as it came. ’Body Refining Cultivation consumes a lot of resources and can slow down my progress in standard Cultivation,’ he mused, ’but it gives me more power to protect myself. Especially in a fight, having quick reflexes... it’s a good trump card to have.’

’It’s been very useful in my recent fights, proving my choice wasn’t wrong.’

It was late into the night. Zhao Zuo looked at the remaining half of the wolf heart, worried that its internal Energy would dissipate over time. He took out his small knife and continued to slice it thin.

He seasoned it with the spice mix, chewing and swallowing in large mouthfuls.

When he simply couldn’t eat another bite, Zhao Zuo assumed a stance and resumed his Cultivation of the Golden Body Technique.

Over the next few days, Zhao Zuo finished consuming the Shadow Wolf heart and returned to his usual training regimen. The experience levels of his Sky-Breaking Saber and Golden Light Mirror were increasing rapidly. In fact, the Golden Light Mirror was now close to its third upgrade.

「The sixth day of the twelfth lunar month.」

Zhao Zuo was in the living room practicing a Body Refining Technique when he suddenly heard footsteps on the roof.

"Taoist Friend Zhao, I’ve sold all the Shadow Wolves! It’s time to split the Spirit Stones!" Shen Yunjiao said excitedly, leaping directly into the living room through the large hole in the roof.

A look of genuine joy appeared on Zhao Zuo’s face as well. He quickly led Shen Yunjiao into the bedroom.

’The Spirit Stone delivery has arrived!’

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